Treating Anxiety With CBD

While it may be hard to imagine for some, anxiety actually serves a beneficial purpose in human psychology. Anxiety can not only help us recognize and react to potential threats but can also motivate us to take action in response to certain situations. While these benefits may have served us very well in ancient times, nowadays anxiety is viewed as a disorder, and an obstacle to living happy, relaxed, and well-adjusted lives. Recent studies have shown that CBD (Cannabidiol) oil can be a particularly effective option for treating anxiety in both the short and long term. 

While CBD does not produce the same euphoric, uplifting, or happy sensations as THC, it is capable of instilling users with a delightful feeling of relaxation. Instead of the psychoactive effects of THC, CBD produces pain relieving and anxiolytic effects, similar to those found in over the counter sedatives and anxiety medicines. However, over the counter, anti-anxiety medicines have a reputation for unpleasant side effects that can leave users feeling less sharp (cognitively) throughout the day and cause memory, dependence and withdrawal problems. Comparatively, CBD has minimal side effects and does not cause either physical dependence nor the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that come with it. When administered responsibly, CBD is considered to be safe and well-tolerated. 

Recent animal studies and human trials have demonstrated that CBD can be effective in reducing or eliminating anxiety altogether from test subjects. Following several animal studies, The National Institute on Drug Abuse concluded that subjects administered CBD had reduced stress, and fewer behavioral, and physiological symptoms of anxiety. A 2011 human study likewise concluded that, when compared to a placebo, test subjects administered CBD demonstrated reduced anxiety levels overall. Additional studies have also shown that CBD is capable of effectively treating a variety of anxiety disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and may even treat anxiety-induced insomnia. 

In addition to its anti-anxiety properties, CBD has been shown to activate numerous serotonin receptors in the brain. This means that CBD has the potential to treat other disorders that result from a lack of serotonin production in the brain. These include depression, substance dependence, and some of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. 

Human and animal trials have conclusively demonstrated that CBD can be used to treat a variety of psychological disorders including many different types of anxiety. Individuals currently treating their anxiety with over the counter medicines could benefit from switching to a treatment plan that is centered around CBD.